Advisory Support Facility 'Penguin Support' Opens in Oita City, Founded by a Consultant with Lived Experience of Disability
In April 2026, 'Penguin Support,' a consultation and support office, opened in Nishiki-machi, Oita City. Founded by Hidenori Kambayashi, a veteran in disability welfare and himself an individual with a disability, the facility leverages his long-term hospitalization experience to provide empathetic, personalized support.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 25, 2026 at 19:40
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 25, 2026 at 11:24 (23 min after Collected)
In April 2026, 'Penguin Support,' an advisory support facility, was established in Nishiki-machi, Oita City. The facility is managed by Hidenori Kambayashi, a veteran with approximately 23 years of experience in the disability welfare field. His background includes various roles in Type B employment support, daily living care, helper services, and group homes, with 10 years served specifically as a consultation support specialist.
## Background of Establishment
The establishment of this facility is deeply rooted in Mr. Kambayashi's own experience of becoming a 'recipient of care.' In 2024, he suffered a serious illness, leading to a long-term hospitalization of approximately one year. During this time, he endured a tracheotomy that prevented speech, difficulties in thermoregulation, and instances of inadequate treatment, all of which taught him the pain and isolation of being on the receiving end of support. This experience solidified his commitment to 'accept everyone first and think through matters together.'
## Core Concept: 'Thinking Together, Living Together'
Both Mr. Kambayashi and Eri Mametsuka, the Board Chair of the operating NPO 'Konpeito Kikaku,' are individuals with disabilities. Their decision to launch this advisory office was prompted by encountering 'problems that cannot be solved within the framework of employment support' while working at their related facility, 'Type B Employment Support Penguin Creates.'
In his consultations, Mr. Kambayashi prioritizes lowering the initial barrier for users. Rather than jumping straight into business, he engages in natural conversation and greetings to relax the atmosphere, paying careful attention to non-verbal communication such as facial expressions and gestures. He focuses on understanding the underlying reasons for a user's lack of confidence at their own pace, aiming to support them in accumulating small, successful experiences.
FAQ
What kind of facility is Penguin Support?
Penguin Support is a consultation support center for people with disabilities, established in April 2026 in Nishinomiya, Oita City. It operates under the concept of 'thinking together, living together,' with staff members who are also individuals with disabilities providing consultation support.
What are the characteristics of the consultation staff at Penguin Support?
The manager and specialist consultation support staff, Hideki Kamaboko, has about 23 years of experience in the welfare field and is also an individual with a disability. He utilizes his own long-term hospitalization experience to provide support that values non-verbal communication such as facial expressions and gestures.
What types of consultations do you handle?
We provide support to address issues that cannot be resolved within the framework of employment support, and mismatches between the services provided by the system and the services needed by the individual. We carefully engage in dialogue to find solutions together.
Are there any considerations for those who may feel nervous during consultations or interviews?
We do not start with the consultation right away. We begin with greetings and natural small talk to create a low-pressure environment that helps ease the tension of users.
Who operates the facility?
It is operated by the non-profit organization Kompaitou Planning, whose board chairperson, Eri Mamezuka, is also an individual with a disability.